Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Ta'anit Esther - The Fast of Esther

In the days of Mordechai and Esther on the thirteenth day of Adar, the Jewish people gathered to defend themselves from their enemies. Obviously they needed the mercy of Hashem to succeed in the battle and therefore, drawing on the example of Moshe Rabenu during the war against Amalek, they prayed and fasted that day. As we know, Hashem answered their prayers and they were victorious. The day that had been designated by their enemies as a day to kill Jews was switched around and became a day that the Jews showed their dominion over their enemies. Not one Jew was hurt on that day, while the Jews decimated their enemies. In commemoration of this astounding miracle we fast on this day every year. This fast is known as Taanit Esther.

DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org